Some northern Midwestern states may enjoy a spectacular natural light display on Monday night.

This is based on a geomagnetic storm warning issued for Monday night by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

In straightforward terms, this storm can make the northern lights visible in various parts of the northern United States. This display is triggered by a coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on Saturday, which is expected to arrive at Earth on Monday night.

Once the ejection reaches Earth, we can expect a stunning display of the aurora borealis.

Experts predict the ideal time to catch the northern lights will be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. ET. The northern Midwestern states, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, are likely to experience the most vibrant activity.

What is a coronal mass ejection?

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a massive flow of plasma and magnetic field that the Sun releases during an explosive solar flare classified as X-class. According to Space.com, these are the most powerful solar flares that exist. They move electrically charged particles, known as ions.

These ions are responsible for the northern lights, as their interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere creates this visual spectacle. When these gases and ions mingle in our atmosphere, it leads to the brilliant colors we see in the night sky.

What impacts can a geomagnetic storm have?

The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center states that storms like the one predicted can disrupt voltage in power systems, potentially leading to false alarms in some protective systems.

GPS systems may also experience temporary disruptions.

​​Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for YSL News. You can  find him on X @fern_cerv_.